Party Pinning Etiquette: Click on the Artist's Link First Before Pinning. Thank you.

It starts with a kiss at midnight New Year's Eve and the love keeps flowing right on through Valentine's Day. So that's what we're going to do! Six {and a half} weeks of Kiss and Tell: a party to show off your DIY, decor, art, crafts and other creative endeavors. We have 365 amazing projects to peruse in this collection.

I ventured into this "blogging thing" quietly and privately for several months, knowing zippo about it. I started putting myself out there in September 2011, and what an amazing four months it has been!! YOU've made it so much fun to share the wellspring of ideas that constantly spur me to say,

We're sharing a wealth of insight, aspirations, and wisdom at this special linky party for the 2012 New Year! Do you have a tip about: taking or editing photos, linking up to parties, comment etiquette, using google analytics, creating buttons or banners, and so forth? Link up and let us visit you to learn your blogging tips and trade secrets. It doesn't have to be a new post - your wisdom will be new to many of us who are in different phases of the blogging life. Have you set a New Year's resolution for your blogging adventure? Share it here. This is also a place to inspire one another and keep things fresh. Tell us what you love about blogging, or even what's difficult.

Pin ItHere are three simple basics for unlocking your blog and making it more accessible to readers, followers and party hosts.

1.) Put your name on your blog. Hi! My name is... It's surprising how many people forget to do this. You think it's on there--but are you sure? Examine your pages, sidebars, and posts. Is your name easy to spot? Put it in several places. Sign out of your blog and view it from the "outside." Make a contact page, or an "about this blog" page. Is your name there and are there ways to reach you? Try it. Make sure it works.

Your Blizzard of Creativity made the Winter Wonderland party successful! Thank you! With three rounds of features this month, many shout-outs on facebook, and some pins, it's now time for the grand finale...

Let The Christmas Parade begin ….! And please, if you see projects you like, click on the link to visit the artist to pin. Thanks!

What a fantastic New Year's or Valentine date YOU will have in this comfortably elegant little black dress. Vintage jazz inspired, the "Boogie Woogie" dress from Shabby Apple will make you {or someone you love} feel like a Star on any occasion!

Wanna win it?

I thought so !!!

Shabby Apple and I are teaming up to give away this amazing dress to one lucky winner. It's my way of thanking you for your support...you've made my blogging journey wonderful!

Accessories, anyone? Oh yes, Shabby Apple has those. {Can't you just see these with that dress? ...or any of their women's dresses?}

My blog is about creativity, so I want to mention Shabby Apple has an emerging designers program. And they give 5% of their net dress sales to help women worldwide.

Makes me proud to team up with them!

So click that Shabby Apple button on my sidebar and go get 10% off of your purchase by typing in this code: Igottacreate10off. That discount is good until January 19th as an added thank you.

And...drumroll, please....

Here's all you have to do for a chance to WIN the Boogie Woogie little black dress...

Giveaway Rules: One Entry For Each Action

*Please leave me a separate comment right here for each thing you do so that you can get up to five "tickets" for the drawing, so to speak!! Do as many or as few as you like*

1. One entry for becoming a follower of I Gotta Create! {and just let me know if you already follow}2. One entry for liking Shabby Apple's Facebook Page. {click 'like' at the top of their page}3. One entry for liking the I Gotta Create! Facebook Page. {click 'like' at the top of my page}4. One entry for telling me your favorite women's apparel at Shabby Apple.5. One entry for sharing this giveaway on YOUR facebook page. {click the little 'f' at the bottom of this post}

The winner must be 18 or older and have a U.S. shipping address in order to win.

There will be NO exchanges on this dress -

but who doesn't need a gorgeous little black dress, anyway?

The winner will be chosen by random.org and notified by email {please make sure when I click on your name in the comment, it takes me to a place where I can access your email address; or provide your facebook page}.

This giveaway is open until 8:00 a.m. CST on Christmas Eve, Friday, December 24th!

I wasn't kidding when I said we were going to get crazy with tinfoil! I love playing and stretching a theme for the creative juice. How many times have you looked at something and said, "oh nice," and moved on without letting it stir your creative pot?

Well, since this is a blog about creativity, I want to take you on that playful journey. The one where you ask: hmmm...how can I take that a step further?

We've been using aluminum foil to create all sorts of unexpected bling. You can catch those posts by *clicking here*

Anyone else experiencing a time crunch lately? I had planned a couple of posts and am particularly excited to show you some gift bags I created.

But the available light before and after a day at work is getting so skimpy that my photos aren't to my satisfaction. So please come back Sunday, December 11th for the full post! {Edit: It's live right HERE!}

Beautifully upcycled, these burlap stuffed ornaments from The Artsy Girl Connection are made with--can you believe it--toilet paper rolls! I love them! See how Marilyn does it and what she puts inside.

This striking Poinsettia pillow is a Pottery Barn knock-off from Crafting in The Rain. Steph shows you how to do it, save money all while using colors that match your decor!

Finding Secret Treasures has another quirky and creative use for old bed springs: A rustic bell garland!! I love the imagination!

Shannon whips up a vintage Christmas display complete with a sheet music paper chain. Remember making those in school? Relive that magic in a grown up version: visit FoxHollow Cottage.

If you have little bits of felt, lace and trims to use up, why not make some sweet little ornaments like Caroline did? This is just one of six examples she shares in her post at Artfully Caroline.

Please go visit these artists and their wonderful creations for an up-close look at how they did it.

THANK you, artists, for sharing your talent and inspiring us this season!! You are definitely STARs here at I Gotta Create! Please feel free to grab the feature button for your blog.

As for me, I'll be guest starring on December 8th over at Que Linda! Come on over and visit me and the project I'll be posting there. I met Janny when I came across her pumpkin lanterns for Halloween, and had to pin them and feature them in my Halloween parade.

AND as part of the "Visions of Sugarplums" Group, your comments will gain you entry for a prize drawing being organized by Laurie over at Choux-Choux.* VisitLaurie from Choux Choux, Lauren from The Past on a Plate, Mika from Mika's Pantry (she has some darling recipe cards to download), and Jennifer from Just Wedeminute.*Drawing has been completed.

Buzz over for a sweet deal!

Click for Clip Art!

Come Cheer me On!

Copyright Notice

No Republishing

Without Express Written Permission

All photos, artwork, writing, and the I Gotta Create brand variations (igottacreate, iGottaCreate, etc.) are copyright protected, all rights reserved. You may not feature or republish any of my work without express written permission, which to date has not been granted. More details regarding link parties can be found on the sidebar below. Please do feel free to pin my work from here, the original source.

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I'm Published!

Copyright

No Republishing

Without Express Written Permission

All photos, artwork, writing, and the I Gotta Create brand variations (igottacreate, iGottaCreate, etc.) are copyright protected, all rights reserved. You may not feature or republish any of my work without express written permission, which to date has not been granted. If I linked up to your party you may use 1 photo in your feature with a direct link to my post and no pin button on or near my art that would have my work pinned with you as the source. Pins of my own projects should come from my original posts to credit my intellectual property. In featuring from a link party, you may not crop my photos or feature them in a montage unless they appear in full and are clearly marked on the photograph as work belonging to me. {For other artists featured here from my parties, click on the the artists' links to Pin. They deserve the credit for their intellectual property!}

Host Your Parties With:

Welcome! My name is Christina, and I am an artist, designer, crafter and blogger. My joy is bringing you a little encouragement for adding creativity to everyday life. Check out my artwork for licensing, and my blog for crafters and makers.